The Public Defender’s Office has issued a statement regarding the potential discovery of asbestos-containing materials during the rehabilitation of Rustaveli Avenue, offering several safety and management recommendations to Tbilisi City Hall due to the substance's hazardous nature.
The Ombudsman's Office highlighted that asbestos poses significant health risks to both construction workers and children, especially with the school year approaching, as two public schools are located directly along Rustaveli Avenue.
"Amid the ongoing rehabilitation of Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi—which includes a complete overhaul of the water supply and drainage infrastructure—reports circulated on social media indicating that old asbestos-containing materials may have been uncovered in lower soil layers. Given that Tbilisi's historical drainage network was constructed using various materials, including asbestos, it is highly plausible that asbestos-cement pipes could be encountered during the system's renewal.
The Public Defender of Georgia reminds the public that asbestos is a high-risk toxic substance linked to severe health conditions, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. The risk surges during mechanical disturbances such as cutting, breaking, drilling, or excavating. Consequently, the Public Defender detailed these issues in an April 2026 special report, 'General Overview of National Compliance with International Asbestos Regulations: Occupational Safety, the Right to a Healthy Environment, and Health Protection.' The report outlined several systemic gaps, including Georgia's incomplete adoption of international asbestos regulatory standards and the absence of technical regulations governing worker protection from asbestos exposure in workplaces.
Rustaveli Avenue is one of the city's busiest public corridors, meaning potential exposure is not limited to site workers. Particular vigilance is required as the school year begins on September 15, with both Tbilisi First Classical Gymnasium and Public School No. 47 situated in the immediate work zone. This places children—who are uniquely vulnerable to asbestos exposure due to developing respiratory systems and the multi-decade latency period of asbestos-related diseases—in daily proximity to the site."
Recommendations to Tbilisi City Hall
The Public Defender of Georgia calls upon Tbilisi City Hall to take the following actions:
Identify & Remediate: Determine immediately whether materials uncovered in the rehabilitation zone contain asbestos. If confirmed, take required safety measures—including prohibiting dry cutting and breaking, equipping workers with suitable personal protective gear, and sealing waste in separate, labeled packaging.
Public Communication: Keep the public informed regarding measures taken to identify and manage any asbestos-containing materials.
